A not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the most effective communication for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
The two most important values expressed by people who rely on AAC are:
1. saying exactly what they want to say
2. saying it as fast as they can

Achieva is Western Pennsylvania’s largest provider of comprehensive services and supports for children and adults with disabilities and their families.

AIU3 provides specialized educational services to Allegheny County’s 42 suburban school districts and five vocational/technical schools.

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) is a statewide initiative funded by the Bureau of Autism Services (BAS), Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), PA Department of Human Services. ASERT is a key component of the BAS’s strategy for supporting individuals with autism and their families throughout the commonwealth.

Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders – get information, advocacy, and more.

Since 1967, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh has been the local action unit of the Autism Society of America, the foremost voice and resource of the nation’s autism community.

One of the largest providers of Residential Services in Pennsylvania, the Barber National Institute has operated six residential group homes in the suburban Pittsburgh, PA area since 1999. Also providing Adult Day Services to adults with developmental disabilities, and support to families.

Brain Balance has a plan for kids who struggle

We can help. As a parent, it is heart wrenching to watch your child struggle. Brain Balance has worked with over 25,000 children and their families and we know we can help yours, too. Brain Balance constructs a comprehensive, personal plan that addresses your child’s challenges.

Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.

The Center for Excellence in Autism Research (CeFAR) at the University of Pittsburgh, under the direction of Nancy J. Minshew, MD., Shaun M. Eack, PhD. and Carla A. Mazefsky, PhD, is developing new interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and conducting clinical trials to assess efficacy.

CHADD Local Chapter dedicated to helping adults with ADD/ADHD, as well as those who care about them.

The Children’s Institute is an independent, nonprofit, licensed organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, young people and their families by providing a specialized continuum of services that enables them to reach their potent.

On of the University of Pittsburgh oldest outreach programs, CLLP was designed to assist local residents optimize their quality of life through improving their overall health and well-being.

Forum for dialogue between parent and resident community members and Fox Chapel school administration.

Paddling with youth and adults of all abilities from around Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania provides exceptional programs and services, in 47 Pennsylvania counties, to ensure that people with disabilities or other special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

A list of educational advocates in Allegheny County. Please contact us to be added to this list.

The vision of Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding, Inc. is to provide a safe, therapeutic, rewarding experience for people with special needs.

Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania

At the office and on college campuses, Evolve Coaching provides unique and individualized coaching support to adults in the areas of organization and communication.

Offering Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Hippotherapy.

Believing in the worth of those served, Familylinks assures that all children, families and seniors in western Pennsylvania have the tools they need to be healthy, happy and strong for life.

Fox Chapel Area School District

Gifted Foxes is the PAGE: Parent Advocates for Gifted Education group for Fox Chapel Area School District

HAPPEN – the Hampton Parent Professional Education Network. Our group began with a small group of parents from Hampton Township in the 1990’s. We hope that you will take a look around, learn something, and then possibly share ideas and resources.

Hope Academy is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania as a private academic school. Our school is for children who may not fit the model of a typical classroom setting.

Outpatient Therapy, School, ABA Services and Early Learning Center

HOPE Network promotes community integration of people with physical disability and chronic health conditions in southwestern Pennsylvania through sports and recreation programs and services that support return to healthy, productive life.

HOPE Network promotes community integration of people with physical disability and chronic health conditions in southwestern Pennsylvania through sports and recreation programs and services that support return to healthy, productive life.

Horses With Hope programs focus on improving the lives of children, youth, and adults assisting them to reach beyond their abilities, allowing daily success and milestones to be accomplished through the partnership developed by horse and rider.

HUNE provides training programs on all aspects of Special Education, including Transition Services. HUNE also provides supports and limited individual assistance for parents of exceptional children.

ICAN™ Talk Clinic believes everyone can learn to communicate regardless of their disability. ICAN™ Talk Clinic provides the services you deserve and expect.

In-Stride with Therapeutic Riding is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healing through the use of horses.

Speech & Language Pathologist

Using the movements of the horse, the stimulation of the natural environment, the responsibility of caring for an animal contribute to a person's motivation. Planned groups or individual experiences allow a patient to socialize, enjoy the environment and feel good about him or her self.

Through the three types of legal Supplemental Needs Trusts currently available, Life Enrichment Trust, Inc. (LET) offers caregivers and family members a secure means to financially provide for individuals with disabilities receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medical Assistance (MA) without endangering their source of monthly income, medical insurance, or other government benefits.

McAndrews Law Offices is a nationally recognized firm that is committed to providing families of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C, and New Jersey with exceptional legal representation in multiple areas including Education Civil Rights, Special Education, and Special Needs Trusts.

Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey operates therapeutic and competitive ice hockey programs for the benefit of cognitively and physically disabled individuals in Pennsylvania and adjacent areas.

The mission of the Miracle League of Southwestern PA (MLSWPA) is to provide the opportunity for children and adults with special needs a chance to experience playing baseball in a league-based environment.

Serving as a Community Resource Center, Mission Empower provides advocacy, education, and the promotion of inclusion, assisting families and their children with disabilities to enable their children to use their gifts and talents to reach their potential and become productive members of our community.

North Allegheny Special Education Parent Networking Group: The PNG supports parents of children with special needs including children with IEP’s, 504’s, speech services, and learning differences through the exchange of ideas, resources, and pathways to effectively identify and advocate for accommodations or adaptations in curriculum to ensure children with learning differences can thrive in their school environment.

New Story is a private licensed academic school that provides special education and behavioral health services to children up to age 21 who have been diagnosed with autism or emotional/behavioral disorders.

The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) provides the resources for parents and educational agencies to resolve educational disputes for children served by the early intervention system, students who are gifted (or thought to be gifted), and students with disabilities (or thought to have disabilities). Pennsylvania has been named an Exemplary Dispute Resolution System in Special Education by the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education(CADRE).

The Office of Intellectual Disability (OID) assists Allegheny County residents with an intellectual disability in receiving services.

Open Up Pgh offers accessible classes for people of all ages in both yoga and improv in the community of Pittsburgh.

Open Up Pgh's focus is tailoring classes to meet individual ability levels- making them a perfect fit for individuals with special needs.

(in toh'toh): IN TOTAL, ALTOGETHER, TOTALLY
What we have in common is that we feel most at home in a place that supports, accepts, and celebrates everyone, especially those who don't feel that way in many other places. we think life is better when we face it totally supported, in total community, and altogether encouraged.